Korea (DPRK) - OCHA: 15.Mar-15.May.98
Korea (DPRK) - OCHA: 15.Mar-15.May.98
Situation Report from the Humanitarian Coordinator in the Democratic
People's Republic of KOREA (DPRK)
Period covered: 15 March - 15 May 1998
HIGHLIGHTS
WFP Executive Director Catherine Bertini visited the DPRK from 7 to 11
April. Field visits were made to several provinces during her stay. She
also opened a new WFP sub-office in Wonsan (Kangwon Province). Meeting with
high-ranking DPRK officials, the WFP Executive Director discussed the
current status of humanitarian operations, and the modalities of WFP
activities.
A European Union delegation, composed of representatives of 11 members
sates, visited the DPRK from 9 to 16 May. Meetings with Government
officials and visits to numerous counties and provinces afforded the
delegation a comprehensive view of the country, especially in the food,
food security and health sectors.
A Round Table on Agricultural Recovery and Environmental Protection for the
DPRK will be held in Geneva on 28 and 29 May.
GENERAL ASSESSMENT
During the reporting period the international relief agencies continued to
implement their relief programmes in their allocated areas of activities.
UNICEF and WFP have established sub-offices in Ryanggang Province and
started monitoring visits in a number of counties there.
The spring double crop programme received generous contributions from
various sources. Support for this programme included seeds, fertilizer and
pesticides. Several organisations are involved in projects to build
greenhouses adjacent to nurseries and kindergartens. This is hoped to
diversify the diet of children, one of the most vulnerable groups.
As 8 May, the UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal has received
contributions amounting to USD 74.6 million. This represents approximately
18 percent of total requirements. The largest of the components food aid
has received pledges for only 19 percent of the total value of the
requested assistance (30 percent of the tonnage). The agricultural recovery
and food security components have not received any contributions to date.
FOOD
During her visit to the DPRK from 7 to 11 April, WFP Executive Director
Catherine Bertini opened a new WFP sub-office in Wonsan (Kangwon Province)
an important addition to the already-existing sub-offices in Sinuiju (North
Pyongan), Chongjin (North Hamgyong) and Hamhung (south Hamgyong). WFP
relief officers have begun visits to Ryanggang Province, where a fifth
sub-office is soon expected to open in Hyesan.
A nation-wide nutritional assessment, with statistically valid sampling
techniques, is being implemented in a joint arrangement among the DPRK
Government, UNICEF, EC and WFP.
>From January to end of April 1998, WFP recorded the arrival of 114,922 MTs
of food. The expected shipments and confirmed pipeline amount to around
430,000 MTs. The European Commission (DG VIII) has recently announced its
intention to commit 86,000 additional MTs of food on a bilateral basis.
Non resident NGOs (ACT, Caritas, CFGB, ADRA) have since January delivered
high-value commodities like edible oil, high energy milk and sugar, as well
as the traditional donations of wheat, rice, maize and lentils through the
WFP?s Food Aid Liaison Unit (FALU). Those commodities will complement the
diet of vulnerable groups in some areas, including support to ongoing
projects implemented by resident international NGOs. The total amount of
food and agricultural inputs already shipped or pledged by non-resident
NGOs through the FALU channel in 1998 amounts to 29,903 MTs.
During the reporting period the NGO Komitee Cap Anamur, which supports food
and health programmes in South Hwanghae Province, distributed 5,000 MTs of
cereals (3,000 MTs rice and 2,000 MTs maize).
A Swiss Government donation of 1,262 MTs of frozen meat arrived in April.
This consignment brings frozen meat donations by the Swiss Government to a
total of 2,262 MTs since January.
A consortium of USA PVOs (Amigos Internacionales, CARE, CRS, MCI and WVI)
has signed an agreement with the DPRK Government for involvement in the
distribution of 75,000 MTs of cereals donated by the USA through the WFP
and destined for food-for-work programs.
CESVI has received a donation of 25 MTs of food for children from private
Italian donors. This food was distributed to nurseries and kindergartens in
South Hwanghae and the Kaesong City area, the two regions where this
Italian NGO implements its health programs.
HEALTH
With technical and financial support from WHO, the Ministry of Public
Health organised a meeting with 40 national health professionals to
identify needs for the control and prevention of communicable diseases in
the country. During the reporting period, WHO also supplied drugs
sufficient for the treatment of approximately 15,000 Tuberculosis patients
for one year. A new treatment method for TB (Direct Observation Treatment
Schedule) is being introduced in seven counties of three provinces on a
pilot basis.
During the reporting period UNICEF distributed 1,911 medical kits for
county and ri hospitals. 3,190 delivery kits are being distributed to 76
county hospitals. 11,500 locally produced mattresses will shortly be
distributed in pediatric wards and institutions for children in need of
special protection. UNICEF has also supplied 1.65 million doses of measles
vaccines and around 10,000 boxes of multivitamin tablets for children, as
well as pregnant and lactating women.
In March, the IFRC has completed a second three-month distribution plan of
drugs and medical supplies in 18 counties of North Pyongan Province and
seven counties of Chagang Province. In addition to the training conducted
by IFRC on the use of new drugs, a manual has been prepared and distributed
to the doctors in the area of IFRC operations.
CESVI has finalized the first part of a training course for medical staff
on the use of drugs and electro-medical instruments. This coincides with
the final distribution of 140 MTs of drugs and medical equipment to
hospitals in South Hwanghae Province and Kaesong City.
Medecins du Monde (MDM) have distributed 75 MTs of drugs and medical
equipment to 379 health institutions in South Hamgyong Province. MDM has
also conducted training courses on the use of basic drugs in 19 counties
and districts of the province. A nutritionist has been added to the team to
follow up and intensify activities in 10 therapeutic feeding centres.
Action Contre la Faim (ACF) has begun a supplementary feeding programme for
children in North Hamgyong Province. Beginning with information and
training sessions for the staff of children?s institutions, the programme
will eventually supply hygienic kits and winter clothes to 2,400 nurseries
and kindergartens in the province.
UNICEF has received 155 MTs of high-energy milk (HEM) for nutritional
rehabilitation during 1998. MSF and MDM have benefited from UNICEF-supplied
HEM in their nutritional programs. In collaboration with the DPRK Institute
of Child Nutrition (ICN), UNICEF is implementing growth monitoring and
promotion (GMP) in some selected nurseries and kindergartens.
As result of local appeals in Reading, hometown of CAD (Children?s Aid
Direct) 20,000 children?s blankets have arrived in the DPRK, to be
distributed to nurseries in Sunchon City.
UNICEF, OXFAM and CESVI have initiated water and sanitation programmes in
different parts of the country.
HelpAge International (HAI) has begun a unique service, supporting 24 Homes
for the Elderly. Non-resident NGOs (ADRA and ACT) are supporting this
programme through the supply of food. HAI will soon start distributing of
winter clothes, boots, blankets, socks and soap to the same target group.
FOOD SECURITY AND REHABILITATION
The main discussion document for the Round Table on Agricultural Recovery
and Environmental Protection (AREP), prepared by the Government with the
assistance of UNDP and FAO, was finalized by the beginning of May.
The document is a short to a medium-term rehabilitation programme with a
value of around USD300 million, to be implemented over a period of three
years.
A draft version of the document served as the basis of discussion between
the DPRK Government and donors on the occasion of two sensitization
missions, organised in April in Asia/Pacific and Europe/North America. A
third mission, comprising UNDP representatives, subsequently visited Japan
and the Republic of Korea.
Reported donor contributions to the 1998 double-crop programme amounts to
8,398 MTs of spring barley seeds and 13,535 MTs of fertilizer. Most of the
fertilizer contributions included urea and composed fertilizer. The surface
sown with barley exceeds amounts to 50,000 hectares. Prospects are
promising for a substantial harvest by the end of June.
Under the UNDP umbrella, CARITAS International has provided an agronomist
to monitor the development of the spring barley double crop program. This
expert will work in close collaboration with DPRK experts, as well as with
agronomists from resident international organisations such as SDR, CAD and
GAA.
Through funds granted by SIDA (Swedish International development Agency),
CAD has increased its greenhouse program. In addition to the initial 300
greenhouses funded by EC-DG VIII, a further 200 will be constructed to
benefit nurseries and kindergartens in counties of South Pyongan Province.
UNICEF has distributed 8,850 Kg of vegetable and soybean seeds to nurseries
(153), kindergartens (200) baby homes (12), orphanages (10) and boarding
schools (12).
This report is available on the internet through RELIEFWEB:
http://www.reliefweb.int
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - Field Coordination
Unit - Pyongyang
Mr. Douglas Casson Coutts
Tel.:(850 2) 381 7298
Satellite:(872) 1507-451
Fax: (850 2) 381 7639
E-Mail:fo.prk@undp.org
Complex Emergency Response /
Consolidated Appeal Process (CER/CAP) - Geneva
Mr. Ernest Chipman - Chief
Mr. Arjun Katoch
Tel.: (41 22) 788.1402
Fax: (41 22) 788.6386
Registry E-Mail: Abu.Conteh@dha.unicc.org
Complex Emergency Division (CED)- New York
Mr. David Chikvaidze
Tel.:(1 212) 963.9665
Fax:(1 212) 963.1388
E-Mail: chikvaidze@un.org
Information Service
Ms. Therese Gastaut - Director
Tel.: (41 22) 917.2300
Fax: (41 22) 917.0030
E-Mail: tgastaut@unog.ch
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